Deion Sharif Harris, a 25-year-old African American male from Youngstown, Ohio, tragically lost his life on October 16, 2019. Harris was found in the backyard of a house on Hilton Avenue with multiple gunshot wounds. The Mahoning County Coroner's Office confirmed his death, and the case was ruled a homicide. Harris was known to be an avid sports fan and enjoyed rapping and comedy.
He was employed at Schwebel's Bakery and was remembered fondly by his family and friends.
Youngstown police responded to the scene after receiving an alert from the Shot Spotter system, which indicated gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, they found Harris with multiple gunshot wounds. Detectives followed up on leads, but as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with his death. The investigation remains open, and the Youngstown Police Department continues to seek information from the public.
The case is part of a larger effort by WKBN reporter Joe Gorman, who has taken on the project of covering unsolved homicides in Youngstown since 2001. Gorman has reached out to the community for help in solving these cases, hoping to bring closure to the families of the victims. Harris' death was the 16th homicide in Youngstown for the year 2019, highlighting the ongoing issue of violence in the area.
Despite the tragedy, Harris' memory lives on through his family, friends, and the community that knew him. His mother, Cherise Cooper, and his siblings continue to cherish his memory and seek justice for his untimely death.
